Handbag closure device



Dec. 28, 1943. M. ARNOLD I HANDBAG CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Jan. 14, i943 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 UNlED STAT S hl'h'l OFFECE HANDBAG CLOSURE DEVICE Max Arnold, Allentown,

smith Bros. Manufacturing Co.

Pa, assignor to Gold- Inc., New York,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to closure devices for handbags.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved handbag closure, dispensing with the need for using metal, plastic or other scarce materials, and yet affording an action somewhat analogous to that of a slide fastener.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a closure device which is adapted to be used in the ordinary pliable handbag, and which is adapted to afford a distinctive, decorative effect, so essential in a handbag.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a handbag closure having improved means Whereby the mouth can be open in any required degree while maintaining the rest of the mouth reliably closed.

Another object of the invention is to construct a slidable closure device of improved arrangement and construction so that in cooperation with the bag body it is adapted to lie within the bag body in a relatively inconspicuous manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure device for an opening extending substantially from end to end of the bag body and including slide means which can be accommodated laterally of the mouth when in open position, whereby the slide means can be of relatively stiff construction to reliably close said mouth.

Another object of the invention is tofurnish a device of the character described which is simple and inexpensive in construction, durable, reliable and eihcient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiment pointed out in vthe subjoined claims, and illustrated on the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a handbag embodying the invention, with the flap open and with the slide member in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional View taken on line 2-2 thereof with a part removed.

Fig. 3 is a like view but with the mouth opened by movement of the slide element to a diiferent position.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a handbag showing a modification of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar View but with the closure means removed.

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a handbag showing another modification.

Fig. 7 is a similar View of still another modification.

Fig. 8 is an isometric perspective View of a still further modification.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, H3 denotes a handbag embodying the invention. The same may include a bag body If having a main compartment l2 closed in any suitable manner as by a flap iii. A lining It may be provided for the compartment l2, extending from the mouth l5 of the bag along the flap. In this compartment 92 there may be provided such partitions or supplemental pockets as may be desired.

An additional pocket it may be provided at that wall ll of the bag body which the flap l3 overlies in closed position. Thus the flap [3 is adapted to conceal the mouth it of the pocket id as well as the closure means thereof hereafter described. The pocket it is thus adapted for housing special articles or papers, which the user'desires to save from the confusion that ordinarily prevails in the compartment it, despite the provision of supplemental pockets therein. Thus the pocket it may be used advantageously as a money purse or for the housing of bills, especially as it has a double closure as will be apparent hereinafter.

The pocket 56 may include a lining l9 extending for the entire length of the handbag or only along approximately one half thereof as shown. This lining is secured to the wall ll as by stitching at 253, 2|, the stitching 2! also engaging the adjacent part of the lining M. Between the lining l9 and the wall ii are disposed guide, rail or track elements 22, 23, which may also be secured by the stitching at 2i 2!. These elements preferably extend from end to end of the bag body, whereas the opening or mouth I8 is substantially less in length. Cooperating with these elements 22, 23 is a slide closure or strip member 24, having attached thereto a suitable finger piece or winged tab 25 which may consist of a piece of decorative leather, stitched to the slide member as at 28. Though the slide member lies on the inside of the Wall H, the wings of the tab project through the mouth 18 and the left wing may be used to pull the slide leftward to closed position, and the right wing to pull the slide rightward to open position. When the mouth is is opened, the tab 25 lies at the extreme right end thereof, and the slide extends substantially to the right end of the bag body. a

The specific character of the track elements 22, 23 may be varied to suit; those shown are specifically intended to be illustrative of various slide joints well known in the art, such as rods for sliding sleeves or tubes, or dovetail elements. In order to keep the structure as thin and as cheap as possible, I prefer that the track elements 22, 23 be suitably stiffened as by being made of relatively stiff composition material or of leather backed by cardboard, and these remarks also apply to the slide element. If necessary, to hold the elements in relatively rigid relation to each other a reenforcement plate 21 may extend along the track, having a window in register with the mouth 18, and being secured by the stitching 20, 2 I. This plate may have a slit 28 in central rela' tion to the mouth It, and such a slit at this point may also be provided in the track element 23 in order to aiford flexibility for easy insertion of ones hand through said mouth. In such a structure, the reenforcement 27 would serve as a resilient or yielding member, which assures proper alinement of the element 23 and accurate spacing thereof relative to the element 22. Thus the elements 22, 23 form with the wall I! or the resilient reenforcement 27 grooves extending from end to end of the bag body, in which the slide 24 is seated. The lining i9 maybe suitably arranged, as with an opening to permit movement of the slide '24 to the right.

In operation, it is seen that the action is rather analogous to that of a slide fastener, involving a rapid and simple motion for opening and closing. Since the slide may be covered with leather, a neat, attractive effect is produced blending in with the appearance of the handbag as a whole. By the arrangement shown, the flap I3 affords a supplemental closure for the pocket Hi.

In Fig. 4 is shown a handbag 30 having a closure means 3! which is modified in that it employs two of the closure devices 32, 33 of Fig. l, ofiset relatively to each other, and being operative in opposite directions. The primary object of this structure is to utilize a mouth 34 extending for substantially the entire length of the handbag. This month may comprise a plurality of sections 536 interconnected by an upright opening at In all details, the structure for each section R5, 36 may be identical with that of the device ill. the degree of vertical offset between the mouth sections 35, 36 being determined merely by the required room for the track elements lying at the bottom of opening 35 and at the top of opening 36; of course these particular track elements may be formed as a single element for compactness. The slots at 28 may be omitted, if desired, because the long mouth 34 will afiord inherent flexibility.

In operation, the mouth 34 is opened by moving the tabs 25 toward each other so that the upper and lower slides are respectively moved toward the right and left into concealed position behind the wall 38, of the bag body. To close the same, the tabs 25 are moved away from each other to be at the left and right end of the bag, as indicated in Fig. 1. It is now apparent that the ofiset structure permits the use of rigid closure means with a full length mouth. Furthermore, one half of the mouth may be opened or closed without disturbing the other half. This is useful to avoid loss or undue exposure of contents, and of course small supplemental pockets at each section 35, 36 may be provided in the main compartment of the mouth 34.

In Fig. 6 is shown a handbag .0 according to a modification in which the top wall 4! is curved so that the side wall 42 forms a semi-circle. The relatively rigid arcuate slide closure 43 for the mouth 44 rides on a track means and is actuated by a finger piece 46, which is moved to the left end of the mouth for opening the handbag. The detailed structure may be as in Fig. 1, but this arrangement permits the use of a substantially full length mouth, without requiring an offset as in Fig. 4. The wall ll is suitably stiffened by an arcuate plate 41 which may be like that at '21 so that the slide may be easily moved even when the operator grasps the bag in her hand.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modified handbag 50, between the lining and outer side wall 5| of which is disposed a disc-like member 52 pivotally mounted at 53 and having an opening or cutaway portion in the form of a sector 54 for registering with an opening or mouth 5411 which may be of arcuate form. A finger piece 55 attached to the member 52 serves to turn it back and forth to open and close the mouth 540:. By cutting out the disc rather deeply as shown at 56, the mouth may be quite flexible and is adapted for easy insertion of ones hand. For assuring a snug closure, a single track element 51 may be provided along the upper edge of the mouth and extending somewhat beyond to always engage the member 52.

. In Fig. 8 is shown a handbag 60 having a side wall 6| provided with a straight mouth from edge to edge of the bag. An endless flexible band 63 formed with an opening adapted to register with the mouth 62, lies continuousl between the wall and lining of the bag, at the front, rear and ends. Suitable track elements 65 as in Figs. 2 and 3 slidingly guide the band. A finger piece 64 is used to slide the band in opposite directions to open and close the mouth. The pivot may be made of plastic or cardboard materials.

In all forms of the invention, a simple, slide motion serves to open and close the handbag in a convenient and reliable manner. This is accomplished without the use of any metal or similar scarce materials, and an attractive, distinctive effect is produced. The handbag can be opened to any desired degree, and, unlike a slide fastener, there is nothing to catch or entangle with the contents or with the sleeves of the operator, and any regions of wear are concealed from view so that the handbag is adapted for a long life.

I claim:

1. A handbag having a bag body provided with a wall having an elongated mouth, said mouth having offset portions generally parallel to each other, strip members slidably mounted on said wall for respectively opening and closing said mouth portions, each strip member when in open position being moved away from its mouth portion, and actuators for said strip members movable toward each to open said mouth and away from each other to close said mouth.

2. A handbag having a bag body provided with a wall having an elongated mouth of predetermined size and shape, extending substantially from end to end of the bag body, strip elements for different portions of said mouth, and means for mounting the strip elements and for actuating the same so that one-strip element is movable toward the other for opening the mouth, and i said elements when in open position lying along the wall spaced away from the mouth and within the boundaries of the bag body.

7 MAX ARNOLD. 

